Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle

PNND Update 25
November 2009
1. German push to remove NATO nuclear weapons

On 6 November German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle announced to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the new coalition government seeks the withdrawal of the remaining US nuclear weapons located on German soil. However, it appears that Germany is not proposing to do this unilaterally – but rather in conjunction with the withdrawal of US nuclear weapons from the other nuclear-sharing countries - Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey, once they also agree. Together, there are believed to be approximately 200 US B-61 gravity bombs deployed on European soil.

According to the Guardian, Belgium and the Netherlands have given their support to Germany's effort. Norway is also pressing for NATO to begin discussions on the matter as it coordinates the development of a revised NATO strategic concept, which is expected to be completed by July 2010.